Device for quick binding of a boot on a moving apparatus

ABSTRACT

A device for a quick binding of a boot on a moving apparatus, which occurs by means of a front transverse connection member of the boot adapted to cooperate with corresponding retaining mechanism affixed to a support plate of the apparatus, and by a mechanism for retaining the heel affixed to a slide that is mounted freely in a rectilinear guide of the plate so that they can be adjusted into a position relative to the front of the boot. The retention mechanisms for the front and the rear of the boot on the plate provide positive locking with automatic snap engagement, which can be actuated against an elastic return force, without manual intervention, by the mere pressure of the boot on the front and then on the rear in substantially vertical downward movements, and consequently in a substantially horizontal position of the boot.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is based upon French Patent Application No. 01 01603, filed Feb. 2, 2001, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety, and the priority of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a device for a quick binding of a boot on a moving apparatus. Although not necessarily, the invention relates to a boot with a flexible upper provided with a flexible sole according to a boot standard adapted to a specific sporting activity, such as cross-country skiing and/or nordic skiing, or even snowshoeing, requiring the sole and the boot to bend.

[0004] Whatever the case may be, the boot is of the type including, at the front, a transverse connection member adapted to cooperate with a retaining mechanism affixed to a support plate of the apparatus,

[0005] 2. Description of Background and Relevant Information

[0006] To ensure that the boot is properly held, especially in the case of a flexible boot for a sporting activity which prevents the flexibility of its sole, it is known to arrange, on the plate, means for retaining the heel that are affixed to a slide mounted freely in a rectilinear guide of the plate so that they can be adjusted into a position relative to the front of the boot. Such a construction is described, for example, in the commonly owned French Patent Publication No. 2 804 613.

[0007] This has the advantage of making it possible to adjust the device between two extreme positions corresponding to the smallest size and to the largest size of the boot to be mounted on the retaining device.

[0008] Nevertheless, a disadvantage of this known device lies in that the slide is connected to the boot, at its rear portion, by means of a connecting member that is constituted by a strap that locks on the upper of the boot.

[0009] Therefore, the user is forced to bend down in order to manually lock the strap.

[0010] Moreover, in this type of device, the transverse connection rod cooperates with a hook of the plate that is directed downward, which requires from the user to substantially bend the boot forward, in a practically perpendicular manner, so as to hook the curved portion by means of the front transverse connection rod before folding back the boot toward the plate for strapping,

[0011] This maneuver can prove particularly uncomfortable under certain conditions, especially during the removal of the boot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An object of the present invention is to overcome the various aforementioned disadvantages of the known devices and, to this end, the invention relates to a device for a quick binding of a boot on a moving apparatus, which occurs by means of a front transverse connection member of the boot adapted to cooperate with corresponding retaining mechanism affixed to a front zone of the support plate of the apparatus, on the one hand, and by means of a retention mechanism for the heel affixed to a slide that is mounted freely in a rectilinear guide of the plate so that they can be adjusted into a position relative to the front of the boot, on the other hand. The mechanism for retaining the front and the rear of the boot on the plate are constituted by a positive locking arrangement with automatic snap engagement, which can be actuated against an elastic return mechanism, without manual intervention, by mere pressure of the boot on the front and then on the rear along substantially vertical downward movements, and consequently in a substantially horizontal position of the boot,

[0013] The present invention also relates to the characteristics which will become apparent from the description that follows, and which must be considered separately or according to all of their possible technical combinations,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] This description, provided by way of a non-limiting example, will help to better understand how the invention can be embodied, with reference to the annexed drawings, in which;

[0015]FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective and longitudinal cross-sectional view of the binding device of the invention, according to a first embodiment;

[0016] FIGS. 2-6 are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of the device according to FIG. 1, showing the various phases of boot automatic insertion and removal;

[0017]FIG. 7 is a top view of a binding device according to a second embodiment;

[0018]FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the line VIII-VII of FIG. 7, the device being associated with a moving apparatus and a boot;

[0019] PIG. 9 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the automatic front locking member along the line IX-IX of FIG. 1; and

[0020]FIG. 10 is a perspective bottom view of a boot that can be adapted to the device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The quick binding device, generally designated by the reference numeral 1 in FIGS. 1-6, is adapted to be inserted between a boot 2 and a moving apparatus 3. As shown in these figures, this binding occurs by means of a front transverse connection member 4, shown as a pin or rod, located in the area of the sole 5 of the boot 2.

[0022] The front transverse connection member 4 is adapted to cooperate with corresponding retaining mechanism 6 affixed to a front zone of the support plate 7 of the apparatus 3. Furthermore, generally speaking, the binding is also carried out by a mechanism 8 for retaining the heel zone 9 of the boot 2.

[0023] The retaining mechanism 8 is affixed to a slide 10 mounted freely in a rectilinear guide 11 of the plate 7 so that it can be adjusted into a position relative to the front of the boot 2.

[0024] According to the general concept of the invention, the retention mechanism 6 for retaining the front A and retention mechanism 8 for retaining the rear B of the boot 2 on the plate 7 are constituted by positive locking members 12, 40 with automatic snap engagement, which can be actuated without manual intervention by mere pressure of the boot 2 on the front A, then on the rear B along substantially vertical downward movements F1, F2, and consequently in a substantially horizontal position of the boot 2.

[0025] According to a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6, the locking members 12, 40, located at the front and rear, respectively, of the plate 7, are elastically returned by a common mechanism 20 connected directly and freely to each of the members 12, 40.

[0026] According to this same example, the front member 12 for automatic locking of the boot 2 includes a fixed jaw 13 affixed to the front end of the plate 7 and defining, at its upper portion, a first groove portion 14 open upwardly, and by a movable jaw or rocker 15, journalled by an axle 16 directly on the fixed jaw 13 or the plate 7 and defining, at a lower inner portion, a second groove portion 17 open downwardly and complementary to the first groove portion 14 so as to define a housing whose cross-section corresponds to that of the transverse connection member 4 adapted to be housed therein after rockingly pushing back the movable jaw or rocker 15, at its free upper portion 15 a opposite its journal axle 16, which movable jaw or rocker is affixed to the elastic return mechanism 20 shared with the member 40 for locking the rear of the boot 2, whose base forms a slide 10 mounted freely in the rectilinear guide 11.

[0027] According to this same example, the rear member 40 for automatic locking of the boot 2 is constituted by a rigid front spoiler 23 oriented downwardly and forwardly, projectingly raised on the plate 7 and movably affixed to the slide 10 adapted to slide freely in the rectilinear guide 11 of the plate 7 along a rear direction P3 until snap engagement of the front spoiler 23 on a portion of the heel zone 9 of the boot 2 forming an edge 24, occurring under the action of the common elastic return member 20 along a front direction F4.

[0028] The functioning of this device is as follows:

[0029] The boot is inserted by presenting the boot 2 in a substantially horizontal plane above the quick binding device 1 and lowering the boot in the direction of the arrows F1, F2 (FIG. 2)

[0030] The connection member 4 of the boot 2 is presented on the front locking member 12, causing the rocker 15 to pivot about the axle 16 along a direction F5, and rocking the heel 9 in the direction F6 toward the rear locking member 40 (FIG. 3).

[0031] The front connection member 4 is engaged with locking member 12, by snap-engagement and elastic return of the rocker 15 in the direction F7 (FIG. 4).

[0032] The edge 24 is engaged with the heel 9 of the boot 2, by snap-engagement, in the front spoiler 23 of the rear locking member 40 in the direction F2 due to the sliding along the direction F3, then along the direction F4 of the member 40 (FIG. 4).

[0033] The boot is removed by unlocking of the heel 9 by the action of the rear locking member 40 in the direction F3 and upward rocking in the direction F8 simultaneously causing a rocking movement in the direction 15 of the front rocker 15 by support of the front of the boot during forward rotation, until disengagement of its axle 4 in the direction F9 (FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0034] According to the second embodiment, the front member 12A for automatic locking of the boot 2, particularly shown in FIGS, 7, 8, and 9, is constituted by a fixed jaw 13A affixed to the front end of the plate 7A and defining, at its upper portion, a first groove portion 14 a open upwardly, and by a movable jaw or rocker 15A journalled 16A at the end of the plate 7A in the vicinity of the fixed jaw 13A and defining, at an upper inner portion, a second groove portion 17A open downwardly and complementary to the first 14A so as to define a cross-section corresponding to that of the transverse connection member 4 adapted to be housed therein after pushing back the movable jaw 15A against an elastic return member 20A that is specific thereto.

[0035] Advantageously, the fixed jaw is made as a single piece with the plate 3, i.e., the fixed jaw and plate are made unitary, during a common molding operation of a plastic material.

[0036] According to an improvement to the aforementioned feature of the invention, the groove portion 14A of the fixed jaw 13A and the complementary groove portion 17A of the movable jaw 15A have outer engagement ramps 18 and 19 defining therebetween a V in which the transverse rod/pin 4 is positioned prior to its snap engagement.

[0037] Furthermore, the rocker 15S has a nose 15 a directed forwardly in a direction opposite that of the energy lug 20A in relation to the journal axle 16 a, so as to enable its rocking about this axis thereof during an unlocking maneuver.

[0038] To facilitate the unlocking, and consequently the boot removal, an abutment 22 is made on the upper portion of the rocker 15A, which abutment is biased during this operation by the front portion A of the boot 2.

[0039] With respect to the rear member 40A for automatic locking of the boot 2, the latter is constituted by a rigid front spoiler 23A oriented downwardly and forwardly, projectingly raised on the plate 7A and movably affixed to the slide 10A adapted to slide freely in the rectilinear guide 11A of the plate 7A along a rear direction P3 until snap engagement of the front spoiler 23A on a portion of the heel 9 of the boot 2 forming an edge 24A, occurring in a front direction P4 under the action of an elastic return member 25 which is specific thereto and distinct from the elastic return member 20A of the front locking member 12A.

[0040] According to this same embodiment, the slide 10A is constituted of an inner part or strip 26 with a width corresponding substantially to a lower inner groove 27A of the plate 7A forming the rectilinear guide 11, on the one hand, and of an outer part or back 28 perpendicularly extending the front spoiler 23A forwardly and taking support on the upper plane 29 of the plate 7A, the strip 26 and back 28 constituting the slide 10A being joined together by an assembly mechanism 30.

[0041] According to a particular characteristic of the front spoiler 23A, the latter has on its upper portion a boot insertion slope 31 directed forward and downward.

[0042] Furthermore, the front spoiler 23A is affixed to the outer upper part or back 28 of the slide 10A by means of a perpendicular extension 32 of the latter, on which the front spoiler 23A is fixed by an assembly mechanism 33.

[0043] As seen particularly well in FIG. 8, the front spoiler 23A and extension 32 of the back 28 of the slide 10A on which it is fixed form an interface including complementary teeth 34 enabling a height adjustment, so as to render the rear locking member 8A adaptable to any boot height.

[0044] According to another characteristic of the invention, the elastic member 25 for returning the slide 10A and the front spoiler 23A, which is affixed thereto, is constituted by a rubber band, perforated along its entire length with successive adjusting holes 35, one end hole of which cooperates with a pin 36 obtained beneath the lower surface of the back 28 of the side 10A, and one of the other holes of which, selected as a function of the length of the boot 2 and of the desired return force F4, cooperates with a fixed pin 37 made on the upper surface 29 of the plate 7A.

[0045] Preferably, the pin 36 for fastening the end of the rubber band 25, positioned beneath the back 28 of the slide 10A, is arranged in longitudinal alignment with another blind and dreaded pin 38, also positioned beneath the lower surface of the back 28 of the slide 10A, the latter being adapted to the fixing of the strip 26 of the slide 10A, so that the two pins 36 and 37 can constitute guides of the slide 10A by displacement in a longitudinal slot 39 of the plate 7A through which they extend, 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for a quick binding of a boot on a moving apparatus, said device comprising: a support plate to be affixed to the moving apparatus; a front retention mechanism affixed to a front zone of said support plate, said front retention mechanism comprising an automatic positive locking member to retain a front transverse connection member of the boot with a snap engagement; a rear retention mechanism comprising an automatic rear positive locking member to retain a heel of the boot with positive locking with snap engagement, said rear retention mechanism being affixed to a slide mounted freely in a rectilinear guide of said support plate to positionally adjust said rear retention mechanism relative to said front retention mechanism; an elastic return mechanism facilitating said positive locking and snap engagement, said positive locking and snap engagement being actuatable by mere pressure of the boot on a front of the boot and then on a rear of the boot, against an elastic force of said elastic return mechanism, in substantially vertical downward movements of the front and rear of the boot.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said front and rear positive locking members are elastically returned by a elastic member connected directly and freely to each of said positive locking members.
 3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the automatic front locking member for the boot comprises a fixed jaw affixed to the front end of the plate and defines, at an upper portion, a first groove portion, open upwardly, and by a movable jaw or rocker journalled directly on the fixed jaw and defining, at a lower inner portion, a second groove portion open downwardly and complementary to the first groove portion so as to define a cross-section corresponding to that of the transverse connection member adapted to be housed therein after pivotally pushing back the movable jaw or rocker, at its free upper portion opposite its journal member, which movable jaw or rocker is affixed to the elastic return member shared with the member for locking the rear of the boot, whose base forms a slide mounted freely in the rectilinear guide.
 4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the rear member for automatic locking of the boot comprises a rigid front spoiler oriented downwardly and forwardly, projectingly raised on the plate and movably affixed to the slide adapted to slide freely in the rectilinear guide of the plate in a rear direction until snap engagement of the front spoiler on a portion of the heel of the boot forming an edge, occurring under the action of the common elastic return member in a forward direction.
 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the front automatic locking member comprises a fixed jaw affixed to the front end of the plate and defining, at its upper portion, a first groove portion open upwardly, and by a movable jaw or rocker journalled at the end of the plate in the vicinity of the fixed Jaw and defining, at a lower inner portion, a second groove portion open downwardly and complementary to the first groove portion so as to define a cross-section corresponding to that of the transverse connection member adapted to be housed therein after pushing back the movable jaw against an elastic return member that is specific thereto.
 6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the groove portion of the fixed jaw and the complementary groove portion of the movable jaw have outer engagement ramps defining therebetween a V in which the transverse axle is positioned prior to its snap engagement.
 7. A device according to claim 5, wherein the elastic member for returning the movable jaw or rocker comprises by an energy lug made in one piece with said rocker during a common molding operation of a plastic material, said lug extending rearwardly from the journal member of said rocker on the plate by talking support on a lower plane of the fixed jaw.
 8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the rocker has a nose directed forwardly in a direction opposite that of the energy lug in relation to the journal member, so as to enable its rocking about said axle during an unlocking maneuver.
 9. A device according to claim 5, wherein the rear automatic locking member comprises a rigid front spoiler oriented downwardly and forwardly, projectingly raised on the plate and movably affixed to the slide adapted to slide freely in the relinear guide of the plate along a rear direction until snap engagement of the front spoiler on a portion of the heel of the boot forming an edge, occurring in a front direction under the action of an elastic return member which is specific thereto and distinct from the elastic return member of the front locking member.
 10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the slide comprises an inner part or strip with a width corresponding substantially to a lower inner groove of the plate forming the rectilinear guide, and of an outer part or back perpendicularly extending the front spoiler forwardly and taking support on the upper plane of the plate, the strip and the back constituting the slide being joined together by an assembly arrangement.
 11. A device according to claim 9, wherein the front spoiler has on its upper portion a boot insertion slope directed forward and downward.
 12. A device according to claim 9, wherein the front spoiler is affixed to the outer upper part or back of the slide by means of a perpendicular extension of the latter, on which said front spoiler is fixed by an assembly arrangement.
 13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the front spoiler and the extension of the back of the slide, on which it is fixed, form an interface comprising complementary teeth enabling a height adjustment, so as to render the rear locking member adaptable to any boot heights.
 14. A device according to claim 9, wherein the elastic member for returning the slide and the front spoiler, which is affixed thereto, is constituted by a rubber band, perforated along its entire length with successive adjusting holes, one end hole of which cooperates with a pin obtained beneath the lower surface of the back of the slide, and one of the other holes of which, selected as a function of the length of the boot and of the desired return force, cooperates with a Bed pin obtained on tire upper surface of the plate.
 15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the pin for fastening the end of the rubber band, positioned beneath the back of the slides is arranged in longitudinal alignment with another blind and threaded pin, also positioned beneath the lower surface of the back of the slide, the latter being adapted to the fixing of the strip of the slide, so that the two pins can constitute guides of said slide by displacement in a longitudinal slot of the plate through which they extend. 